Centerbase, a company that provides a cloud-based legal practice management platform, recently introduced native document management into its system. This move is set to allow users to create, share, store, and manage documents directly within its platform, using Microsoft SharePoint technology.
Before this, top-tier document management systems were standalone solutions requiring additional payment. Now, Centerbase presents a native solution supporting comprehensive document management processes, all within the Microsoft ecosystem. With this addition to their platform, the company enhances its capability to provide legal professionals with a unified platform, eliminating the need to switch between different applications constantly. Furthermore, by leveraging familiar Microsoft technology, Centerbase aims to provide intuitive workflows, encouraging swift user adoption, and building upon pre-existing technology investments.
During a recent demonstration of the document management system, senior vice president, business development, Rob Joyner classified the launch as a step towards “future-proofing” customers to be ready to leverage artificial intelligence and other advances in technology. Joyner further stated that the haste brought about by Covid has forced people to move to the cloud at a faster pace than anticipated. Also, the emergent interest of artificial intelligence in the legal tech field is causing significant shifts. With these developments, Centerbase is poised to enable its customers to stay ahead and ready to transition when the time is right.
Before this launch, Centerbase supported only basic document management and was more of a document repository than a complete Document Management System (DMS). However, now, with the native file explorer system within Centerbase pointed at SharePoint, firms can maximize SharePoint’s value while maintaining full integration with matters, workflows, and other Centerbase features.
Going forward, Centerbase is set to enhance this feature with a more robust home-page dashboard release later this year. This dashboard will provide users with a comprehensive view of all their matters’ information, as well as their timekeeping and billing. Every matter page will also include a dashboard showing key information about that matter and its financials.
Prior to this, Chris Zink, technical sales director, outlined that by building on Microsoft products, users are directly accessing SharePoint, Outlook email, and Outlook calendars within Centerbase, eliminating the need to replicate or synchronize data between applications.
Finally, the overarching goal is to create a platform that legal professionals can utilize all day without needing to continuously switch software. This new document management capability is launching in beta initially and will be tested with a choice selection of firms. Centerbase expects to make it generally available for release in March.
The full report, complete with a detailed demonstration, is available for review at LawNext.